ABSTRACT
This chapter turns to James Montgomery, another prisoner who sought the 'consolation from the muse' in his castle prison in York in 1795. It brings song into the center of the analysis of the trial literature: the use of the song 'Qa Ira' in trial of Thomas Muir in Scotland, and response of the United Irishmen in their satires, The Lion of Old England (1794) and Trial of Hurdy Gurdy (1794) are read as precursors of Montgomery's fate, which was sealed following the failure of treason prosecutions. The above exchange occurred as part of the prosecution's attempt to establish that the Sheffield Society had begun to arm themselves with pikes. Montgomery's role as the author of the handbill hymn, sung following the delivery of the serious lecture on the fast day of 28 February 1794, was exposed in William Garrow's questioning of William Broomhead during the trial of Thomas Hardy for High Treason from 28 October to 5 November 1794.
